RICERCA ITALIANA     

MATERIALI INNOVATIVI NANOSTRUTTURATI PER APPLICAZIONI CHIMICHE, FISICHE E BIOMEDICHE

Università degli Studi di Perugia

Principal Investigator

Gianfranco SAVELLI Università degli Studi di PERUGIA

Research Objectives

A. PREFACEThe Science of nanostructured organized systems developed enormously in the last years, both on the theoretical and applicative field. Today we know that the molecular structures, both mesoscalic and macroscopic, take part in a common colloidal domain. We also know how the colloidal systems depend on intermolecular forces, how the organization of the supramolecular assemblies depends on the balance between entropical and enthalpical contributions, and how the processes which take place in such systems depend on transport and dynamical properties.Taking into account these observations, the reasons for the development of a "transverse" science appear to be clear. Owing to this science, in the next future it will be possible the formulation of a unitary treating aiming at interpreting the several issues related to Chemistry, Biology, Material Science, as well as relevant technological applications, in agreement with the newest requirements for environmental protection, sustainable development and eco-compatible industrial processes.The development of Biomedical Sciences was not always characterized by a methodological dependence on Physics and Chemistry. These sciences have today reached enough knowledge to supply significative contributions for rationalization of many of the bio-medical processes. The science of microinterphases is an good interface between chemical, physical and biological disciplines. The development of both Physics and Chemistry evidences indeed the fact that many of the biological structures (e.g. ribosomes of genetic material) can be efficently studied and described by means of non covalent and host-guest interactions. These are able to control all the biologically revelant processes.The forces are the same ones governing structures, properties and functions of other supramolecular aggregates such as micelles, microemulsions, multilayers, liposomes, gels, etc…. Similarly systems with biological functions, such as proteines, and systems tipically owning to the inorganic sfield, such as concrete or porous and lamellar materials, show solvation dynamics which are very similar. They also give rise to molecular intercalation, often due to non covalent interactions, responable for ibrid material formation with novel and often unexpected properties. As the techniques are improved and a deeper understanding on scientific knowledge is reached, all the disciplines evolve thowards a molecular level analysis of the processes. This takes to the realization of nanodimensional devices.It is evident that, in order to deeply understand the typical phenomena of biological systems and materials, a development of knowledge relative to the factors which characterize structure, interactions and properties of molecularly organized, mainly nanophasic, systems is necessary.The scientific and administrative organization of the Centre, constituted by research groups working in mostly adjacent structures, is a guarantee for resources and operativity optimization. The groups taking part in the centre derive from the chemical, physical, biological, biomedical and pharmaceutic areas, in particular from the Chemistry, Physics, Cellular Biology, Biochemical Sciences, Molecular Biotechnologies and Drugs Chemistry and Technology departments. Many researchers already activated profitable common research activities. The interdisciplinarity of the research issues should permit the aquisition of scientific and technological convergences in the economical and social innovation in relatively short times. The presence in the project of important national and international researchers guarantees the aquisition of science – production world partnership, supporting strategic research of small – medium companies.Eminent researchers working in structures such as the Department of Chemistry, the Chemical and Material Engineering Department of the University of L'Aquila, the CNR Centre on Reaction Mechanisms in Rome, the Polytechnic of Zurich (ETH) and the Chemistry Department of the University of Bordeaux, contribute to the realization of the project. The interaction with important foreign researchers such as prof. Luisi, should provide incentives for calling back both italian researchers working abroad and internationally known scientific personalities.The industrial area is represented by Sigma Tau Pharmaceutics Pomezia, Biomedical Section, working in the drug and biomolecule delivery, as well as by Nuvera Fuel Cell, working in the combustible cells field.B. SHORT TERM OBJECTIVESThe evolution toward creation and use of nanostructures in different scientifical areas does constitute a cultural and social enrichment. But only if interaction between complementary competences and professionalities aiming at reaching the common objectives are activated, these objectives can be reached in relatively short times. If it will happens, in short time it will be possible to have information on:(i) knowledge and modelling on molecular recognition processes in complex systems, in which the key role is played by the kind and intensity of specific intermolecular interactions;(ii) properties of bordered geometry systems (meso- and macroporous systems);(iii) nanophasic systems, both organic and inorganic;(iv) transfer of the aquired knowledge for applications.The reason why we ask for the activation of the Centre is this needing of a tight collaboration in order to realize the common objectives. The reaserch groups taking part in this project operate in complementar scientific areas and efficiently realize the research objectives reported in the single projects.The scientific aim of this project is to prepare and study novel amphiphilic and lamellar solid structures, able to perform functions which are tipical of molecular and macromolecular recognition, similar both to the ones involved in biological systems (hydrophobic and ionic interactions, chiral recognition and nucleic basys stacking) and to the ones working in the interactions between chiral complexing agents and their substrates, and anyway in liquid/liquid interfaces (emulsions, microemulsions, micellar and vesicular systems).This study will permit a modellization and a deeper understanding on certain processes which are tipical of interphases, such as macromolecular and chiral molecular recognition, protein denaturation, recognition mechanism in restriction enzymes and supramolecular structure formation. Due to the adopted investigative methodologies, data and information on structure and morphology of the aggregate which form in solution or in dispersion, as well as on their dynamics and general chemical-physical properties. By applying those results, novel materials with innovative functions will be obtained. The research topics below deeply illustrated are the following:-Stabilization and enzymatic activation in anphiphilic and solid lamellar-Chemical applications Synthesis in nano-structured anphiphilic systems and solid lamellars Nano-particles in self aggregate systems Synthesis in water as supramolecolar matrics of organic reactionsPhotophysics and photochemical characterization and application of fluorofores in nano-structured systems.-Biomedical applications of nano-structured hybrid systems Delivery of small peptides Delivery of drugs Transfection of DNA Lamellar materials for biomedical applications. The role of a Centre is the development of a high level scientific activity; this a fundamental condition that cannot be given up. However the activity of the centre cannot be confined inside laboratories. It is necessary a connection with local the institutions. In particular:a. Interactions with institutional centersInteractions with the local institutions must be activated in order to have a wider knowledge of the activities of the centre. The foreseen activities, as evidenced in the project, refer to topics of a high social interest like, for example, the stabilization and the innovative delivery of drugs, the activation of DNA transfection processes, the realization of clean chemical processes and so on.b. Promotion of imagine, guidance and trainingThis is another sector in which the Centre must operate with concrete initiatives; the guidance and the training are the main tool for a correct and structural promotion of the image and two guiding principles have to be followed, inside and outside the Centre. The training inside the Centre is planned in the form scheme and will be reported below, but there is another activity that must be developed and is addressed to teachers of undergraduate institutions which represent the source of all the living forces of the society of the future.c. Interaction with industries and financing supportThe interaction with the industries represent another crucial point for the life of the Centre, so initiatives related to involve small and medium industries in the sectors of interest must be promoted to activate collaborations and to find financial supports. The institution of the Centre is requested with the aim and the consciousness that it is not only a financing for the reseach, but, in particular, it is a stimulation to activate a scientific integrated initiative to have the base for the realization of a permanent scientific structure with a cultural and social role. <<<